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“That’s Bekah. She loves to write…” For most of my life that’s how others saw me. I honestly can’t blame them- I have a long history with valid evidence to prove them right. I dreamed of being on the best seller list since I was nine. There is always a book, notepad, and a pen in my bag. My blogger name, Lexibex, has become almost a nickname by a few friends. But now? Things change. Life goes on, and sometimes what used to define you becomes more of a background detail.

Like most stories, this one needs to be explained from the beginning. I was a bit of a nervous child, and one of the things I did to help was vent my doubts on paper. I would daydream, and write that down as well- there was even a time I convinced myself that I had superpowers (the ability to see air and to climb really well, if you really must know) and tried to make a comic book about it (spoiler alert: I don’t have superpowers. Yet.). My childhood was a mix of my head in the clouds and a crayon in my hand. To this day I am still finding notebooks full of worry and fantasy in the handwriting of a wound up second grader, reminders of the scared little frizz I once was.

The peak of my “she loves to write” was from middle school to the recent past. I started my first blog when I was 12 under the name Kurligirli. On that poorly designed piece of the internet I spent my time composing essays about the dangers of junior high and handing out my two cents on life. There’s even an entire post dedicated to cute emojis I had on my computer at the time. Shortly after Kurligirli came Lexibex, the witty teen book reviewer. Lexibex got me quite a few places, including a long run as a writer/reviewer on a national YA novel website, chances to chat with best-selling authors, and several free books. While Lexibex is still active, the posts are less frequent and the gig with the reviewers has come to an end.

Somewhere in that crazy time, two major writing related things happened: I started to journal, and my mom became a columnist for the KC Star. Instead of focusing on getting published, I had turned to writing my own private work and helping edit someone else’s. That’s mostly what’s left for now; an occasional book post, a daily journal, and time with a self-proclaimed “awkward extrovert” needing help finding her weekly ideas.

Things change. Writing used to be who I thought I was, but it has switched into more of a background detail. The unedited drafts that wait patiently in my computer may not be opened for a very long time. Journal entries could get shorter, blog posts less and less frequent… and that’s okay. Life without change is dull and hardly worth exploring. The passion could come back, it could not. Until the day I know for sure, I’m more than content being “Bekah. She loves to write… but can’t wait to see what else she will end up loving.”

*This was originally used as an essay for my English class.

To my readers- This is NOT a goodbye! I know that this website has been really quiet, and you deserved an explanation.

I got my first sunburn of the year, so why even risk going outside again….

Where the Rock Splits the Sky by Philip WebbThe heat makes it feel like a post apocalyptic desert anyways… (review)

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

There’s no shame in starting your summer with a slightly-cliche-yet-still-entertaining tale about a case of mistaken identity starting up some real vacation drama.
(review)

Before Wings by Beth Goobie
Two years after surviving an aneurysm, Adrien still finds herself torn between the worlds of the living and the dead. Now spending the summer working at her aunt’s camp, she’s struck with visions on the lake that will both reveal secrets and help her find her place in life. (note- I may or may not have *taken this from the discard pile at the library, so it’s a little older.)

Sign of the Raven by Julie HearnThink sort of like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children only there’s a gap for time travel in the basement. And a dying mother. And more British. And being saved by a smoothie. And…
(note- see earlier note about slightly older text)

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown
… because living in Missouri isn’t confusing enough. (Okay, but really. Harsh and emotional reminder to pay attention to those tornado sirens.)

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
This was my #1 favorite book when I was little(r), and remains near the top even well past middle grade reading level. Who doesn’t daydream about learning they’re a mermaid?

***The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung RichmondSummer= late nights= sleep deprived brain going all over the place. What if I had superpowers? What if the Germans won WW2… (review)

Happy reading!
(and to my fellow fair skinned fellas, remember that there is no such thing as “too much” sunblock)

~Lexibex

*This was my senior year act of ****rebellion.
**Original title- The Churchill Club; Knud Pedersen and the Boys Who Challenged Hitler
***I swear it was an accident putting two Nazi centered books on this list, let alone right next to each other.
**** *****It’s just as lame in writing as it is in my head. Good to know.
***** Yes, this is a footnote about a footnote that was adding on to a footnote.

WordNothingElse recently celebrated it’s 3rd birthday (read: I kept telling people that I somehow mostly kept up a website for three years…). In those three years, it’s gone from constant posts to whenever-whatever -I- feel- like- it.

I also have been reviewing for a bigger site, which brings me to…

Is this the only place you blog?

Most often I go on book rants/ share stuff on my Facebook page (Lexibex- Wordnothingelse) (also sorry about not posting a link here I’m on a school computer so it’s blocked). All my real reviews on Teenreads can be found here .

I’m trying to decide what to read. Can you help?

I’d be happy to! Post a message to the Facebook page or email (lexibex at att dot net).

Any good cookie recipes?

1 cup sugar, 1 cup PB, 1 egg. Roll into little balls, plop on a cookie sheet, and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Warning: these cookies have magical powers and soon you will become annoyingly popular because of them.

So it seems that WordNothingElse was forgotten.
Again.
I could play the excuses game (“It’s my senior year,” “Supernatural came off hiatus,” “little pillows don’t just embroider themselves,” “oh wait they do? That’s creepy when did they learn to do that…”….) but
wait, where was I going with this?
Oh, right.

In celebration of surviving my 1st full week of senior year and of classes starting everywhere, please enjoy these top picks for heading back.

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Let’s ease back into the idea of “using your brain” with a simple, funny tale about the not-as-overused-as-it-could-be cliche about kids that have everything but confidence that their parents love them. Only this kid has a lair. And money. And people.

Devilish by Maureen Johnson
When back to school drama meets unexpected troubles from Satan. Yes, Satan… well, more or less….

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Proving that not even a vampire princess and her badass best friend can escape going to school (no matter how hard they try). The beginning of a fangirling worthy series that *annoying blood sucker joke warning* you can really sink you teeth into.

Wickedpedia by Chris Van Ettan
A murder mystery that will make you think twice about cheating on that history paper. (want more than a sentence about it? See my teenreads review on it here.)

8th Grade Bites by Heather Brewer
*warning: another lame vampire joke ahead* As if 8th grade didn’t suck enough for normal people (sorrynotsorry to anyone currently having dreadful middle school flashbacks). A vampire series that is actually worth your time. No sparkles here!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Growing up in a boarding school setting because of reasons that I can’t share without spoiling it. Dark, haunting novel that sticks with you. PS- Some AP English classes use this book!

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
Choking to death on a gummy bear= so not the best way to start senior year.

Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn
Deep knowledge on the Salem Witch Trials is a great teacher pleaser, trust me. One of the very few historical fictions that I didn’t want to set myself on fire while reading.

Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Happy go lucky books are fun, but sometimes you need to be reminded that actions have consequences. Sometimes, saying that you’re sorry isn’t enough. Sometimes, words can kill.

Have you ever got sucked into a story that made you laugh, gasp, and cry? Do you remember the last time your face was wet with tears and you were unsure if they were from pure joy or unbearable sadness?

A month before her 16th birthday, Brie *literally* dies of a broken heart after her boyfriend announces that he no longer loves her. After being whisked into a pizza party of an afterlife, Brie comes face to face with tough-guy Patrick. His job? Take Brie through the five stages of grief and help her come to terms with her own tragic death.

Okay, basic bla bla about the book= done. It’s fangirl time.

Don’t sit there (yes, you. You with the laptop) and tell me that you have never wondered what the world would be like if you suddenly bit the dust. What would your friends do? Would your family be okay? How would people at school react (yadda yadda yadda… you get the point.)? Now that she is more or less a ghost going between her personal heaven and the real world, Brie gets the chance to answer those questions herself… and it’s a nightmare. That’s all I’m going to say: the real world sucks (and I don’t mean it in the same context that I complain over the internet about.) Her dead-life sucks mega much BUT IT IS SO WELL WRITTEN AND I WANTED TO CRY AND SCREAM AND *just imagine more fangirling here*

Now insert a plot twist, some mega deadness drama, and- as cliche as it sounds- some secrets that no one saw coming. You almost got the idea of this book. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

I just stepped outside to get the mail and nearly melted. It is possible to get sunburned while sitting in the shade. My little brothers seem to do nothing but go fishing.
Summer is here…
… so let’s hide inside with a good book and some iced tea. Cheers!

Broken Hearts, Fences, and other things to Mend by Katie Finn
(see my review Here) A great sit and relax read.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
DO NOT BE THE FOOL THAT GOES TO SEE THE MOVIE WITHOUT READING THE BOOK FIRST ESPECIALLY THIS ONE YOU WILL REGRET IT I SAY REGRET IT

Fathomless by Jackson Pearce
Celia is a teenager with a seemingly useless power. Lo is a creature of the sea that’s starting to see her world in a different way. Little do they know how much their fates depend on each other (good lordess that sounds cliche…)

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
… because we all need a little fairy tale adventure in our lives.

Wake by Amanda Hocking
3 beautiful girls show up in Gemma’s calm coastal town and capture everyone’s attention. A dark twist on classic siren myths.

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown
(see my review Here) Sometimes, we need to stop and think about those that aren’t as lucky as us (and remember that there is nothing stopping things from happening to us)

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
There really is no way for me to explain this one without going full on fangirl here….

As I write this (well, the rough draft) while sitting in my school library on a lovely spring morning, there is already a storm watch for this weekend {and now, on Sunday, I know that that watch was there for a reason}. Living in Missouri, this is not uncommon and normally I would be excited to listen to the blissful sound of rain hitting the roof. This time it’s a little different. Ever since reading TORN AWAY, there has been a nagging feeling of worry in my gut…

Jersey’s life was normal (that’s how every good story starts, isn’t it? You take something normal and prove its unnormalness…) (and yes, that is a word now. I say so.). She attended high school, had best friends, and loved her little sister. It was a normal (there’s that word again) evening, only a little cloudy at first. Jersey’s mom and sister were at dance class and her stepfather at work. She put down her backpack, started dinner…
… and ran down to the basement when the sirens went off. So begins the scariest scene I have ever read.You can throw all the monsters and ghost stories you want at me but nothing will ever top the horror of the tornado scene in TORN AWAY. Why was it so scary? It’s a real thing to be afraid of. I felt like I was there with Jersey listening to her world fall apart around her. I could smell the rain and feel the harshness of the wind. My heart pounded as the sick feeling for dread for what was to come creeped through my veins.

All of that in one scene.

Jersey’s heartbreak didn’t stop there. Alone and without someone to love her, she was sent to live with her biological father and his pathetic excuse to use the word “family.” Apart from not wanting to spoil the book for you all, I can’t even write about how they treated her because it makes me want to punch someone.

Yes, someone does come to the rescue. No, I will not tell you who…. but you will need a tissue and I advise you not to read this anywhere or at any time that you need to act like a sane human being.

With that, dear readers, I leave you with pictures of Brown’s book signing at a Barnes & Noble here in KC a few weeks ago.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler

CHARACTERS WITH COOL POWERS

The Vendico by Wesley King Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Hourglass by Myra McEntire Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

ALIENS

Where the Rock Splits the Sky by Philip WebbI am Number Four by Pittacus Lore The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Shades of Earth by Beth Revis 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

WITCHES

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn